Troy High School (Michigan)

Troy High School (THS) is a public high school in Troy, Michigan, United States. It enrolls approximately 2,000 students in grades 9–12. It is one of four high schools in the Troy School District, along with Athens High School, Troy College and Career School, and International Academy East. Troy High School was ranked 60th by Newsweek in its listing of America's Best High Schools for 2016. Facilities The first Troy High School opened for the 1950–1951 school year and was originally located at 3179 Livernois (now the Troy Community Center). This building received several additions and renovations, and by 1985 the community was debating replacing it. The building had "asbestos in ceilings and walls; a leaky, sagging roof; poor lighting; a sinking foundation; failing boilers and crowded hallways." The community was divided over spending money for a new building, and several bond issue votes failed. On December 11, 1989, voters approved a $33.5 million bond issue to replace the school. Portions of the former school were renovated into the Troy Community Center, which opened in 2002. The present high school opened in 1992. The architect was Perkins&Will of Chicago. The architecture is "loose prairie style," inspired by Eliel Saarinen's Cranbrook Academy of Art. The building has an emphasis on horizontal lines with a contrasting entrance "campanile" tower. Academics Troy High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP Chemistry, AP World History, AP Human Geography, AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Biology. Extracurricular activities There are six Troy High bands: the Campus Band, the Cadet Band, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Band, the Troy Colt Marching Band, and the Jazz Band. The Cadet, Concert and Symphonic Bands – together comprising the Marching Band – appeared by the Queen's invitation (through a representative of the Lord Mayor of London) at the 2007 London New Year's Day Parade. The 1974 Marching Band participated in the Orange Bowl Parade. In 2004, the Troy High Symphonic Band played at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Troy High School has three choirs. The Concert Choir is an advanced choir that requires an audition to join. The Treble Choir is the less skilled choir that does not require an audition to join. The A Capella Choir is an after-school group that is run by students, has a limited number of members, and requires an audition to join. There are also four Troy High School string orchestras: the Freshman Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the orchestras, many string players participate with the Troy Country Fiddlers (which is largely self-directed). In 2017, the Troy High Orchestras performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Troy High School's theatre organization, the Troy Theatre Ensemble, performed in 2004 at the Fringe theatre festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Troy High Science Olympiad team has qualified for the national tournament four times, in 1986, 2002, 2013, and 2016. The Troy High Quiz Bowl Team participates in Michigan Quiz Bowl. Athletics Troy High boys' soccer won the Michigan State Championship for Division I in 2003. Troy High football won the Michigan State Class AA championship in 1994. The Troy High women's tennis team won the championship in 2003. Troy High girls' soccer won the Michigan State Championship for Division I in 1994, 2003, and 2013. Troy High girls gymnastics won the Michigan State Championship in 1974. Troy High boys tennis won the state championship in 2021. Notable alumni Lauren Molina, Broadway actress, founding member of The Skivvies Bud Acton, NBA basketball player Henry Akin, NBA basketball player Jon Berti, baseball player Richard "Dick" Billings, Major League Baseball player Sutton Foster, Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Ellen Hollman, actress, Spartacus Christopher W. Jones, Chemical Engineer and researcher of catalysis and carbon dioxide capture. Class of 1991. Marcus Kennedy, basketball player Steve McCatty, MLB pitcher and coach Donna McKechnie, Broadway, film and television actress Brian Ottney, Michigan State football player Aileen Wuornos, female serial killer and inspiration for the 2003 film Monster Steven Yeun, actor and comedian, most notably from The Walking Dead James Young, NBA player; 2019-20 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League References External links School website School newspaper